Let’s talk about one of the most classic styling pieces in any room – pillows. I’ve always loved the look of pillows on beds or accent chairs, but it’s more difficult to style them correctly on a sofa. Most of the time they just get thrown on the floor. I’ve never liked the “throw” in throw pillows, so I created a few guidelines to ensure they actually styled correctly.
Today on the blog, I want to talk all about how to style pillows on a sofa like a pro. With these few tips, you’ll be able to perfectly balance aesthetics and functionality for a couch you can sit on and enjoy the look of.
The Heated Debate On Throw Pillows
When it comes to throw pillows, you either love them or hate them. I personally am a huge fan. That being said, a lot of this throw pillow debate comes when aesthetics and functionality do not work together. Although a sofa filled with perfectly fluffed pillows is beautiful to look at, the second you sit on it (if you can even fit) the look is ruined.
To try and fix this issue, I’ve really challenged myself over the years to only bring pillows into our home, especially on our couches, that encourage sitting. I want both our guests and family to feel like they can use every piece of furniture in our home without throwing pillows on the floor.
How To Style Pillows On A Sofa: General Rules
- Think about proportions
- Utilize textures and prints
- Balance colors
- Don’t overdo it
Although styling a pillow on a sofa seems relatively simple, there are a few rules to consider. We all love the look of perfectly fluffy couches you just want to sink into, but sometimes it’s harder to recreate than you think.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the tips I follow before style pillows on a sofa in my home:
Think About Proportions
When it comes to choosing the right pillow, it’s all about the size and shape. An 18×18 or 20×20 is typically the standard square pillow you see online or out shopping. These are a great basis (and I have a lot of them) but don’t be afraid to play around with different proportions.
Oversized pillows can really bring out that luxurious feeling of just wanting to curl up on your couch. On the other hand, there are some really interestingly shaped pillows (circles, rectangles, etc…) that really play to eye appeal and add more depth.
Utilize Textures, Colors, and Print
The same way I encourage playing around with different sizes and shapes of throw pillows for depth, the pattern of the pillow plays a huge role as well. I love combining similar (yet still unique) textures and prints all on one sofa. This is how you get your sofa to have that magazine-like quality.
Balance Colors
Although you can find a million textures and patterns of pillows, color balancing helps keep everything coordinated. Typically, I like to use 3-5 different colors on a couch to tie every piece of the room in. Remember, a solid colored pillow (while it’s not the most daring choice) can be a really great centering element.
Don’t Overdo It
While I am a throw pillow fan, usually aesthetics take over functionality when there are too many throw pillows on the couch. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves to have throw pillows, well thrown, on the ground. All this means is there are too many to enjoy and some need to be moved to other furniture pieces.
How To Style Pillows For Each Sofa Type
Three Cushion Sofa
Three cushion sofas used to be the only sofa available and while still popular, I see them more in grand areas or sitting rooms. To really lean into this style, I recommend focusing on textures to help elevate the space even further. Colors are an easy and gorgeous way to add depth, but there’s just something about unique textures that draws the eye.
Sectional
Since these sofas are larger, you can play around with more pillows that bring in fun colors, textures, or prints. I can almost guarantee the majority of your sectionals are neutral in color, so use your pillows to bring in depth. You can add a lot to a room by just leaning into the design aesthetic you love, so choose something fun.
The Perfect Pillow Formula
To choose throw pillows that are not only your style, but also look cohesive together, there’s a simple formula I like to follow. You can repeat it depending on how large your sofa is, but no matter how many times I’ve tried it, this classic combination has never failed me.
Solid Color + Smaller Pattern + Larger Pattern = Perfect Pillow Combination
Remember, you can play around with different textures, sizes, and shapes of pillows, but from a pattern to solid color perspective – follow this formula.
Where To Shop For The Best Pillow Covers
With so many pillows out there, it can be overwhelming to find quality options at a good price point. After spending years shopping for the best pillow to finish off any space, here is a list of my favorites:
- Amazon: It’s really hit or miss so read reviews and look at photos
- Caitlin Wilson: These pillow covers are an investment, but they’re absolutely gorgeous
- Etsy: There are some really talented sewers with their own shops to support!
- At Home / Target: Occasionally, I find a gem of a pillow cover at these places
Consider The Insert Too
I am ridiculously picky on my pillow inserts. I know this sounds crazy, but I firmly believe a throw pillow looks best when you purchase the cover and insert separately. My favorite pillow insert from Amazon is linked here.
My top tip: purchase a pillow insert slightly larger than your cover to make it as full as possible. So, if you have an 18 x 18 cover, stuff a 20 x 20 insert in. I promise it will fit and will look perfectly fluffy.
Do you have any pillow styling tips for your sofa? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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